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California’s population story is changing dramatically for the first time in its history. The state that seemed to grow endlessly is now seeing some surprising shifts in who lives here and where they choose to call home.
The United States split into sections that have the same population as California
To put this in perspective: California has more people than all of Canada. It’s home to 11 million more people than Texas and nearly twice as many as Florida. If California were its own country, it would have a bigger population than 190 other nations.
What California Looks Like Now
Here’s a fascinating way to visualize California’s population. This map by Engaging Data (engaging-data.com) shows what would happen if every state were as densely populated as California, with its 260 people per square mile.
Take a walk through any California city, and you’ll see what makes this state unique. Unlike most other places in America, no single group makes up a majority here. Look at the numbers:
The age differences tell an interesting story too. Most young Californians (51.4% of those under 24) are Latino, while most seniors (53% of those over 65) are white. More than 1 in 4 residents were born outside the U.S. – that’s over 10 million people who chose California as their new home.
How Did We Get Here?
Animated population growth map 1900-2000. This animated map by Jake Coolidge shows how the cities and suburbs expanded as millions of people moved here over the last century.
The numbers from the 1900s are staggering:
In 1900, fewer people lived in all of California than live in San Diego today
By 1950, the state hit 10 million residents
By 2000, the population had soared to 34 million
But something changed in the 21st century. Growth started slowing down, then stopped, and recently did something completely unexpected:
Between 2020 and 2023, California lost 412,000 residents
We’ve just started growing again, but barely – adding 49,000 people (0.13%) in 2023-2024
The map created by Reddit user: Biohzd05 shows where California natives have moved across the country
Fewer people are leaving for other states now than during the pandemic (197,000 in 2024 compared to 343,000 in 2021)
International migration is picking up again, with 134,000 people moving here from other countries in 2024
Within California, some areas are growing while others shrink:
Growing: Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Riverside, and San Joaquin
Shrinking: Ventura, Marin, and San Francisco
Why These Changes Matter
These shifts are already changing California in significant ways:
The State lost a congressional seat for the first time ever after the 2020 census
Inland areas are gaining political influence as coastal populations shrink
Fewer babies are being born – birth rates dropped 20% since 2015
By 2050, almost a quarter of Californians will be 65 or older
What’s Next for California?
The California of tomorrow might look very different from what we’re used to. While some coastal cities are seeing people leave, inland regions keep growing. Young families are increasingly choosing places like Sacramento and Riverside over San Francisco and Los Angeles. International newcomers are helping offset the loss of residents to other states.
This raises some fascinating questions: Will the next boom happen in California’s inland regions? How will our cities change as the population ages? What happens as younger, more diverse generations shape the state’s future?
Have you noticed these changes in your neighborhood? Are you seeing different patterns where you live? Share your story in the comments below – we’d love to hear how California is changing in your corner of the state.
